Positive pressure connector



Nov. 9, 1965 w. E. BARRE 3,217,285

POSITIVE PRESSURE CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR Mo: K. EAR/ 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1965 w. E. BARRE 3,217,285

. POSITIVE PRESSURE CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEOR W40: 5 BAR ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,217,285 POSITIVE PRESSURECONNECTOR Wade E. Barre, Warren, Pa, assignor to Sylvania ElectricProducts Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 22, 1964, Ser. No.420,280 6 Claims. (Cl. 33949) This invention relates to electricalconnectors and more particularly to an electrical connective assemblyhaving positive pressure connector means therein.

There are multitudinous types of electrical connective devices wherein agreat variety of cooperating slidable connectors are utilized.Unfortunately, many of these devices have questionable reliabilitynotably in situations where vibration and shock are significant factors.One means for increasing reliability involves the use of tightfittingcomplementary portions which are difiicult to separate when such needarises. Alleviation of the tight fitting of cooperating connectiveelements, especially in multiple connector assemblies, has in some casesaggravated poor connections and arcing.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to reduce the aforementioneddisadvantages and to provide an improved electrical connective assemblydevice.

Another object is the provision of an assemblage of connectors whereinpositive pressure is applied to the contact portions by mechanical meansto effect low contact withdrawal resistance.

A further object is to provide a connective assembly that has improvedvibration and shock reliability.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by theprovision of an electrical connective assembly wherein two insulativeconnector blocks have compatibly formed junction surfaces with likeconversely opposed recesses therein. Each of the opposing recesses hasat least one wall formed as an inwardly extending inclined plane. Aresilient longitudinal connector, securely afiixed in each recess, has acontact portion thereon and a formed termination portion protruding fromthe respective junction surface and positioned to extend into theopposed recess. Since the opposing connectors are conversely related,they form a paired relationship as the two connector blocks are broughttogether. The opposing terminations are spacedly oriented to pass oneanother and enter the opposite recess where each touches and slidablyfollows the surface of the inclined plane therein to mechanicallyconsummate positive pressured superimposition of the two contactportions which is simultaneous to the meeting of the junction surfacesof the two connector blocks. Cooperating guide and receiving means andcomplementary locking provisions associated with each of the blocksfacilitates the proper positioning and fastening of the blocks togetherto form a reliable connective assembly having positive pressured contactmeans therein. Upon release of the complementary locking provisions, theconnector resiliency in conjunction with the inclined planes permitsslidable release of the contact pressure and enables facile separationof the assembly connector blocks.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference ismade to the following specification and appended claims in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing constructional details of aconnector;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the connector and recess portions taken alongthe line 2-2 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURES 3, 4, and 5 are side sectional views illustrating thecooperating features of the connective assembly.

Referring to the drawings, :an electrical connective assembly 11 iscomprised of a pair of complementary insula- Patented Nov. 9, 1965 tivemembers in the form of first and second connector blocks 13, and 15,respectively, with compatibly formed junction surfaces 14 and 14individually thereon. Henceforth in this specification, the ensuingnumerical identification notations with prime designations refer to likeelements associated with the second connector block. These two blocks,13 and 15, have like individual longitudinal recesses, 18 and 18' formedtherein with apertures 22 and 22 opening on the respective junctionsurfaces 14 and 14'. Each of these recesses 21 or 21', has one wallformed as an inclined plane 25 or 25', to provide an inner cam surface.Within each of the recesses, there is positioned and afiixed a likeresilient longitudinal electrical connector 29 or 29' which has atermination portion 35 or 35 protruding from each of the respectiveapertures. Each of these connectors has a contact portion 33 or 33'formed thereon at substantiallythe plane of the respective junctionsurface. These two connector blocks are positioned with the aperturedrecesses of one being substantially conversely opposed to the recessesof the other to permit the individual protruding terminations 35 of thefirst block 13 to enter the recesses 21 of the second block 15 and viceversa; with the termination portions 35 and 35' slidably contacting therespective inclined recess surfaces.

Block 15 has cooperating guide means 40 and block 13 has opposingreceiving means 45 with complementary locking provision 49 to facilitatethe positioning and fastening of the two blocks together with thejunction surfaces thereof in contiguous relationship. In so consummatingthis junction, the respective connector terminations mechanically followthe recess cam surfaces to effect simultaneous positive pressuresuper-imposition of the re spective connector contacts 33 and 33'.

In greater detail, FIGURES 3, 4, and 5 show the sequential cooperationof the various elements in the mating of the two connector blocks 13 and15. These insulative blocks can be mold fabricated from :a number ofsuitable plastic materials having high impact strength, heat resistance,dimensional stability, and insulative properties. An appropriate exampleis the thermoplastic polycarbonate resin Lexan as manufactured byGeneral Electric Company, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Each block has ajunction surface 14 or 14' and a connection surface 16 or 16' removedtherefrom.

To aid in explicit delineation, there is illustrated in FIGURE 3 the twoconnector blocks 13 and 15, respectively, in position for subsequentcooperation. For specific detail, the first connector block 13 hastherein a longitudinal contoured recess 21 with the longitudinallyformed electrical connector 29 positioned and affixed therein. Thisrecess, which is variably proportioned, extends through the blockportion 13 with a substantially full-dimensioned rectangular-shapedaperture 22 opening on the junction surface 14 and an opposite channelopening 24 on the connection surface 16.

In the contoured recess there is, extending inwardly from the aperture22 thereof, a primal wall portion formed as an inclined plane or innercam surface 25. oppositely disposed from the primal wall 25 is asecondary wall portion 26 which is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal plane of the recess. These two walls 25 and 26 coextendinteriorly from the aperture 22 to form a recess neck portion 27 havingconnector seating means 28 formed therein as two longitudinal slots, oneon either side of the recess. Beyond the connector seating means 28 theneck portion 27 terminates in a channel 23 which extends to theconnection surface 16 as a channel opening 24.

Positioned and seated Within the recess 21 is the aforementionedelectrical connector 29. This element is made of a resilient metal suchas tempered Phosphor-bronze alloy. The connector has a basic terminalportion 30 which, in this instance, is formed as a sleeve to beencompassed within the recess channel 23. This sleeve terminal portion30 is fashioned to provide a female connection contained within theblock 16 to effect an exterior electrical junction. It is evident thatthis external electrical connection provision could feasibly be of otherconstruction and still be in keeping with the intent of the embodimentof the invention. Adjacent to the basic terminal portion 30 andextending interiorly therefrom is a substantially flattened connectoraflixal portion 31 having increased width and a plurality of spacedraised areas or bosses formed thereon to be slidingly secured inlongitudinal seating slots 28 with the inner end of the terminal portion30 seating against the recess wall portion 20. This seating feature isclearly illustrated in FIG- URES 1, 2, and 3.

From the affixal portion 31, the connector extends integrally throughthe neck portion of the recess into the expansive portion 21 thereof;wherein there is formed in the connector a positioner portion 34 whichis oriented and fashioned in a protuberant manner to be contiguous to atleast a portion of the recess secondary wall 26. By having the connectorso placed in a firm affixal seat and formed with the positioner portion34 at least slightly tensioned against a portion of the secondary wall26, accurate return placement of the connector is effected followingoperational action.

The connector integrally extends beyond the positioner portion to emergefrom the recess and pass through the aperture 22 with a terminationportion 35 protruding beyond the junction surface 14 of the block. Thistermination portion 35 is formed as a protuberance from the same side ofthe connector as the protuberant positioner portion to be substantiallyhook-shaped having a depression 36 with an integrant upturned endportion 37. Thus, the termination is aptly formed to function as a camfollower.

Intermediate the termination 35 and positioner 34 portions, and on theopposite side 39 of the connector therefrom, a discrete contact portion33 of a precious metal such as gold or an alloy thereof, is formed atsubstantially the plane of the junction surface 14. It has been foundthat a substantially wedge-shaped contact portion is advantageous inachieving the subsequent superimposition of the two contacts 33 and 33;each contact having a plane of inclined rise 38 or 38 defining anincreased thickness in the region substantially toward the protuberantpositioner portion 34 or 34'.

Usage has shown that the upturned termination 37 should have as amaximum limit the plane defined by the connector contact supportingsurface 39.

Associated with each of the connector blocks are complementary guide andreceiving means, of which, one cooperating pair is shown wherein guidemeans 40 of the second connector block cooperates with receiving means45 of the first block. In each instance, the guide means are of lengthgreater than that of the connector portions protruding beyond therespective junction surfaces. Thus, the two connector blocks areproperly oriented so that their respective junction surfaces 14 and 14'are in superjacent relationship with the apertured recesses 22 beingconversely opposed to the apertured recesses 22'. This associatedrelationship permits the individual protruding connector terminations 35of the first block 13 to assume a spaced apart conversely pairedrelationship with those terminations 35' protruding from the relatedsecond connector block 15. As the two blocks are guided in the approachof the respective junction surfaces, the paired terminations 35 and 35,being spacedly oriented to pass one another, individually enter therespective opposing recess. The formed termination portions 35 and 35'act as cam followers and in a mechanical manner slidably follow therespective recess inclined walls 25' and 25 to consummate positivepressured superimposition of the respective wedge-shaped contacts 33 and33'; this being accomplished simultaneously with the meeting of thejunction surfaces 14 and 14' of the two connector blocks 13 and 15,respectively.

The complementary locking provision 49 on block 13 is adapted to holdthe two blocks together once the junction surfaces have met. One type oflocking means 50 is associated as a formed end portion on guide means40. Complementary thereto is locking seat 51 which is formed inreceiving means 45 to compatibly accept the respective locking means 50;locking means 50 mating with locking seat 51. It will be noted that whenthe complementary locking means are released, the resilient connectors29 and 29 in conjunction with the inclined recess cam surfaces 25' and25 provides for the positive contact pressure to be slidably releasedthereby enabling the connect-or blocks to be easily separated.

Thus, there is provided an electrical connective assembly device havingimproved shock and vibration reliability wherein two complementarymembers are formed and equipped with connective provisions forachieving, by cooperating mechanical means, a positive pressure betweenmated electrical contacts. Upon release of the assembly lockingprovisions, low contact withdrawal resistance is effected to enablefacile separation of the complementary connector members.

While there has been shown and described what is at present consideredthe preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

a pair of insulative connector blocks forming first and secondcomplementary members each having a compatible junction surface formedto provide superjacent positioning therebetween and a connection surfaceremoved from said junction surface;

at one longitudinal contoured recess formed within each of saidconnector blocks and extended therethrough from said connection surfaceto an aperture opening on said junction surface, each of said recesseshaving at least one wall portion therein formed as an inclined plane camsurface;

a plurality of like resilient longitudinal electrical connectors adaptedto be individually positioned and affixed within said recesses with abasic terminal portion extended to said connection surface to effect anexternal electrical junction, said connector extending internally andemerging from said recess aperture to protrude substantially therefrombeyond said junction surface as a termination portion formed to functionas a cam follower, said connector having a contact portion formedthereon at substantially the plane of said junction surface; and

cooperating guide and receiving means and complementary lockingprovisions associated with each of said connector blocks to facilitatethe positioning and fastening of said blocks together with said junctionsurfaces in related positions, said apertured recesses being converselyopposed to permit the individual protruding terminations of said firstblock to assume a spaced apart conversely paired relationship with thoseterminations protruding from said related second block, said pairedterminations being oriented to pass one another and enter saidrespective opposite recess to slidably follow the cam surface therein tomechanically consummate positive pressured superimposition of saidcontact portions simultaneous to the meeting of said junction surfacesand the conjunction of said locking provisions.

2. An electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

a pair of insulative connector blocks in the form of a first member anda complementary second member, each of said first and second memberhaving a junc ond block, said paired terminations being spacedlyoriented to pass one another, enter the respective opposing recess andslidably follow the cam surface 6 portion at one end with a fulldimensioned aperture opening on a respective junction surface, each ofsaid recesses having a primal wall portion formed as an inclined planeto provide an inner cam surat least one variably proportioned contouredrecess face and a secondary wall portion oppositely disformed withineach of said first and second conposed therefrom, both of said wallscoextending innector blocks and extended therethrough as first andteriorly through said expansive portion adjacent said second recesssesrespectively, each of said recesses aperture t form a ne k portionhaving seating being formed to provide a substantially expansiv meanstherein, said neck portion terminating in a Portion at 0116 end with afull dimensioned aperture 10 channel formed to accommodate exteriorconnec- Opening 011 a respective junction Surface, each of tive meansbeing relative to said respective connecsaid recesses having a primalwall portion formed as n f n inclined plane to provide an inner CamSurface and a plurality of like resilient longitudinal electrical con- 3Secondary Wall Portion pp y disposed therenectors adapted to beindividually positioned within from, both of Said Walls coextendinginiefioiiy said respective recesses as first and second connectorsthrough Said expansive P adjacent Said P respectively, each of saidconnectors having a basic tllfe to form a neck Portion having Seatingmeans terminal portion extended through said channel relathefein, Saidneck Pofiion terminating in Channfii tive to said connection surface toeffect an external formed to accommodate exterior connective means l i lj i d an dj t ffi l ti n being relative to said respective connectionsurface; fi l Secured i id ti means, id connectinplurality of resilientlongitudinal electrical conn F- integrally extending from said affixalportion intO tors adapted to be individually Positioned Within saidrecess, said connector being formed to provide Said respective recessesas i' and Second j a contoured protuberant positioner portion orientedtors respectively, eijlch 0f Sald connectors iiavmg a substantially inthe neck portion of said recess with basic te DOYUOH eXieIlded throughSald Chan said positioner portion contiguous to at least a pornelrelative to said connection surface to effect an tion f Said recessSecondary Wall, Said connector external electrical junction andanadjacent affixal extending f Said positioner portion and emergingPortion firmly secured In F s means sand from said recess aperture toprotrude therefrom connector integrally extending from Sald afiixalbeyond said respective junction surface with a tertion into Said recess,Said qqnnector btf/ing P mination portion formed to function as a camfolto P a Contoured Posltloner P Y onentfjd lower, said follower beingformed as a protuberance substantially in the neck portion of saidrecess w1th from the Same connector side as Said protuberant Saidpositiflmel' POrtlon contlguous to at 1eaSt a positioner portion, saidconnector having a discrete tion of said recess secondary wall, saidconnector Contact portion formed intermediate Said terminw extendingfrom said positioner portion and emerging tion and positioner portionsand oriented on the from Sa 1d recess w a protrude t i oppositeconnector side therefrom at substantially yond said respective unctionsurface with a terminathe Plane of Said respective junction surface; andtion portion formed to function as a cam follower, cooperating guide andreceiving means and comp1e Sald follower being fqrmed prolfberance fr.ommentary locking provisions associated with each of Same connector.sldeas .Sald posmoner pomgm 40 said first and second connector blocks tofacilitate Sald collnector havmg a dlsclete. Contact q i the positioningand fastening of said blocks together formed. mtermedlaie Sald termmauoni posmon' with their respective junction surfaces in superjacent erportions and oriented on the opposite connector relationship, Said guidemeans being of a length slde therefrom; and greater than that of theconnector portions procooperating guide and receiving means associatedwith truding beyond the respective junction Surfaces said each of saidfirst and second connector blocks to faapertured recesses opening onsaid respective cilitate the positioning of said blocks together withtion surfaces bfiing Conversely opposed to permit their respectivejunction surfaces in superjacent rela- Said individual protrudingterminations of said first tionship, said guide means being of a lengthgreater block to assume a spaced apart conversely aired than that of theConnector Portions PrPtmdmg relationship with those terminations protruding yond the respective junction surface.s i apertured from saidrelated second block said paired terminarecesses Opening on Saidrespective f i siilrfaces tions being spacedly oriented to pass oneanother being conversely opposed to permit said individual enter therespective Opposing recess and slidabhj protruding terminations of ifirst bloqk to P m follow the cam surface therein to consummate posiaSpaced apart Conversely palred relanonshlp with tive ressured superimosition of said contact orthose terminations protruding from saidrelated secp p p tions simultaneous to the meeting of said junctionsurfaces and the conjunction of said locking provisions.

4. An electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

a pair of insulative connector blocks in the form of a first member anda complementary second member, each of said first and second membershaving a junction surface compatibly formed to provide superjacentpositioning therebetween, each of said first and second members having aconnection surface removed from said junction surface;

at least one longitudinally proportioned contoured recess formed Withineach of said first and second connector block sand extended therethroughas first and second recesses respectively, each of said retherein tomechanically consummate positive pressured superimposition of saidcontact portions simul- 0 taneous to the meeting of said junctionsurfaces.

3. An electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

a pair of insulative connector blocks in the form of a first member anda complementary second memher, each of said first and second membershaving a junction surface compatibly formed to provide superjacentpositioning therebetween, each of said first and second members having aconnection surface removed from said junction surface;

at least one variably proportioned contoured recess formed within eachof said first and second connector blocks and extended therethrough asfirst and second recesses respectively, each of said recesses beingformed to provide a substantially expansive cesses being formed toprovide a substantially expansive portion at one end with a fulldimensioned rectangular-shaped aperture opening on a respective junctionsurface, each of said recesses having a primal wall portion-formed as aninclined plane to provide an inner cam surface and a secondary wallportion oppositely disposed therefrom' being substantially parallel tothe longitudinal plane of said recess,'both of said walls coextendinginteriorly through the expansive portion adjacent said aperture to-form'a neck portion having substantially longitudinal seating means therein,said neck portion terminating in a channel formed to accommodateexterior connective means being-relative to said respective connectionsurface; 7 plurality of like resilient longitudinal electricalconnect'ors adapted to be individually positioned within said respectiverecesses as first and second connectors respectively, each of saidconnectors having a basic terminal portion extended through said channelrelativeto said connection surface to effect an exterior electricaljunction and an adjacent afiixal portion of increased width having aplurality of bosses spaced thereon to firmly secure said connector insaid longitudinal seating means, said connector integrally extendingfrom said aflixal portion into said recess, said'connector being formedto provide a contoured protuberant positionenportion orientedsubstantially in the neck portion of said recess with said positionerportion contiguous to at least a portion of said recess secondary wall,said connector extending from said positioner portion and emerging fromsaid'recess aperture to protrude therefrom beyond saidrespectivejunction surface with a termination portion" formed to function as a camfollower, said follo'wer being formed as a protuberance fromthesanre'side of the connector as said protuberant positioner'portion, saidconnector having a'discr'ete contact portion formed intermediate saidtermination and positioner portions and oriented on the opposite side ofsaid connector therefrom at sub'stantially'the" plane of said respectivejunction surface; and

cooperating guide'and receiving means associated with eachof' said firstand second connector blocks to facilitate the positioning of said blockstogether with their"respectivejunction surfaces in superjacentrelationship, said guide means being of a length greater than'that ofthe connector portions protruding beyond the respective junctionsurfaces, said apertured recesses opening on said respective junctionsurfaces being conversely opposed 'to permit said individual protrudingterminations of said first block to assume a spaced apart converselypaired relationship' with those terminations protruding from saidrelated second block, said paired terminations being spacedly orientedto pass one another, enter said respective opposing recess and slida-blyfollow said cam surface therein to consummate positive pressuredsuperimposition of said contact portions simultaneous to the meeting "ofsaid junction surfaces.

An' electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

pair of insulative connector blocks in the form of a first" member and acomplementary second member, eachof said first and second members havinga junction surface compatibily'formed to provide superjacent positioningtherebetween, each'of said first and second members having a connectionsurface removed from saidjunction surface;

at least one longitudinally proportioned contoured recess plane toprovide an inner cam surface and a secondary wall portion oppositelydisposed therefrom, both of said walls coextending interiorly throughsaid expansive portion adjacent said aperture to form a neck portionhaving seating means therein, said neck portion terminating in a channelformed to accommodate exterior connective means being relative to saidrespective connection surface;

a plurality of like resilient longitudinal electrical connectors adaptedto be individually positioned Within said respective recesses as firstand second connectors respectively, each of said connectors having abasic terminal portion'extended through said channel relative to saidconnection surface to effect an exterior electrical junction and anadjacent afiixal portion firmly secured in said seating means, saidconnector integrally extending from said afiixal portion into saidrecess, said connector being formed to provide a contoured protuberantpositioner portion oriented substantially in the neck portion of saidrecess with said positioner portion contiguous to at least a portion ofsaid recess secondary wall, said connector extending from saidpositionerportion and emerging from said recess aperture to protrudetherefrom beyond saidrespective junction surface with a terminationportion formedto function as a cam follower, said follower being formedas a protuberance from the same side of the connector as saidprotuberant positioner portion, said connector having a Wedgeshapedcontact portion formed on said connector surface intermediate saidtermination and positioner portions and oriented on the opposite side ofsaid connector therefrom at substantially the plane of said respectivejunction surface, said wedge-shaped contact portion having a plane ofinclined rise defining a thickness substantially toward said positionerportion; and

cooperating guide and receiving means associated with each of said firstand second connector blocks to facilitate the positioning of said blockstogether with their respective junction surfaces in superjacentrelationship, said guide means being of a length greater than that ofthe connector portions protruding beyond the respective junctionsurfaces, said apertured recesses opening on said respective junctionsurfaces being conversely opposed to permit said individual protrudingterminations of said first block to assume a spaced apart converselypaired relationship with those terminations protruding from said relatedsecond block, said paired terminations being spacedly oriented to passone another, enter said respective opposing recess and slidably followsaid cam surface therein to consummate positive pressuredsuperimposition of said wedge-shaped contact portions in a complementarysliding manner simultaneous to the meeting of said junction surfaces.

6. An electrical connective assembly having positive pressure connectormeans therein comprising:

a pair of insulative connector blocks in the form of a first member anda complementary second member, each of said first and second membershaving a junction surface compatibly formed to provide superjacentpositioning therebetween, each of said first and second members having aconnection surface removed from said junction surface;

at least one longitudinally proportioned contoured recess formed withineach of said first and second connector blocks and extended therethroughas first and second recesses respectively, each of said recesses beingformed to provide a substantially expansive portion at one end withfulldimensioned aperture opening on a respective junction surface, each ofsaid recesses having a primal Wall portion formed as an inclined planeto provide an inner cam surface and a secondary wall portion oppositelydisposed therefrom,

both of said walls coextending interiorly through said expansive portionadjacent said aperture to form a neck portion having substantiallylongitudinal seating means therein, said neck portion terminating in achannel formed to accommodate exterior connective means being relativeto said respective connection surface;

a plurality of like resilient longitudinal electrical connectors adaptedto be individually positioned within said respective recesses as firstand second connectors respectively, each of said connectors having abasic terminal portion extended through said channel relative to saidconnection surface to effect an exterior electrical junction and anadjacent afiixal portion firmly secured in said longitudinal seatingmeans, said connector integrally extending from said afiixal portioninto said recess, said connector being formed to provide a contouredpositioner portion oriented substantially in the neck portion of saidrecess with said positioner portion contiguous to at least a portion ofsaid recess secondary wall, said connector extending from saidpositioner portion and emerging from said recess aperture to protrudetherefrom beyond said respective junction surface with a substantiallyhook-shaped termination portion having a depression with an integrantupturned end formed to function as a cam follower, said follower beingformed as a protuberance from the same side of the connector as saidpositioner portion, said connector having a substantially wedge-shapedcontact portion formed on said connector surface intermediate saidJOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner,

termination and positioner portions and oriented on the opposite side ofsaid connector therefrom at substantially the plane of said respectivejunction surface, said connector contact supporting surface forming aplane defining the maximum limit of said upturned termination end; and

cooperating guide and receiving means associated with each of said firstand second connector blocks to facilitate the positioning of said blockstogether with their respective junction surfaces in superjacentrelationship, said guide means being of a length greater than that ofthe connector portions protruding beyond the respective junctionsurfaces, said apertured recesses opening on said respective junctionsurfaces being conversely opposed to permit said individual protrudingterminations of said first block to assume a spaced apart converselypaired relationship with those terminations protruding from said relatedsecond block, said paired terminations being spacedly oriented to passone another, enter said respective opposing recess and slidably followsaid cam surface therein to consummate positive pressuredsuperimposition of said wedge-shaped contact portions in a complementarysliding manner simultaneous to the meeting of said junction surfaces.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 7/63 Great Britain.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,217,285 November 9, 1965 Wade En Barre It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 39, for f'at one" read at least one Signed and sealedthis 16th day of August 19661 (SEAL) i Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIVE ASSEMBLY HAVING POSITIVE PRESSURE CONNECTORMEANS THEREIN COMPRISING: A PAIR OF INSULATIVE CONNECTOR BLOCKS FORMINGFIRST AND SECOND COMPLEMENTARY MEMBERS HAVING A COMPATIBLE JUNCTIONSURFACE FORMED TO PROVIDE SUPERJACENT POSITIONING THEREBETWEEN AND ACONNECTION SURFACE REMOVED FROM SAID JUNCTION SURFACE; AT ONELONGITUDINAL CONTOURED RECESS FORMED WITHIN EACH OF SAID CONNECTORBLOCKS AND EXTENDED THERETHROUGH FROM SAID CONNECTION SURFACE TO ANAPERTURE OPENING ON SAID JUNCTION SURFACE, EACH OF SAID RECESSES HAVINGAT LEAST ONE WALL PORTION THEREIN FORMED AS AN INCLINED PLANE CAMSURFACE; A PLURALITY OF LIKE RESILIENT LONGITUDINAL ELECTRICALCONNECTORS ADAPTED TO BE INDIVIDUALLY POSITIONED AND AFFIXED WITHIN SAIDRECESSES WITH A BASIC TERMINAL PORTION EXTENDED TO SAID CONNECTIONSURFACE TO EFFECT AN EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL JUNCTION, SAID CONNECTOREXTENDING INTERNALLY AND EMERGING FROM SAID RECESS APERTURE TO PROTRUDESUBSTANTIALLY THEREFROM BEYOND SAID JUNCTION SURFACE AS A TERMINATIONPORTION FORMED TO FUNCTION AS A CAM FOLLOWER, SAID CONNECTOR HAVING ACONTACT PORTION FORMED THEREON AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE PLANE OF SAIDJUNCTION SURFACE; AND